Week by week, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are flooded with tons of content from the world of 7s. To stay on top of the game we are doing the hard work for you and gather the best bits of the week. Enjoy!

The Sydney 7s were the dream weekend for the Aussies. Both, the men's and women's won their respective competitions at the very first fully integrated male and female competitions. Australias long-serving scrum-half Morgan Stannard sealed the deal in the final with this beauty

https://www.instagram.com/p/Befb8G4AVcN/?hl=en&taken-by=rugbycomau

The Australian men's team were strong and proved that they belong in the mix for the series title, but their female counterparts are currently in a world of their own. Probably the best women's 7s team ever

https://www.facebook.com/worldrugby7s/videos/10154996631926046/

It's not very often the case that one costume causes such a huge viral hype. Literally, everyone involved with 7s had to post a pic of the Avo-Man. Such a simple, but genius fancy dress outfit. Avo-Man you nailed it!

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bed-9tigu_B/?hl=en&tagged=avoman

Argentina's Luciano Gonzales with this unbelievable piece of skill: Makes a try-saver and then still has the power to cover the whole pitch to score the try for his team.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bet5G8ljsjB/

Fiji are back at their bes. They won the New Zealand 7s because of tries like this

https://www.facebook.com/worldrugby7s/videos/10155004342601046/

Text, Picture and Video: World Rugby

HSBC World Rugby Women's Sevens Series leaders New Zealand were the only side with a perfect record on day one of the HSBC Sydney Sevens, although Ireland were also unbeaten on a day of upsets.

The Australian women’s team kicked-off their home tournament with a clean-sweep of victories, to set up a quarter-final with Spain after the first day of the Sydney 7s. 

New Zealand's three wins sets up a meeting with Ireland while Canada will play France.

USA and Russia complete the last eight.

The Challenge Trophy semi-finals are England v Papua New Guinea and Japan v Fiji.

With the Rugby World Cup Sevens just over six months away in San Francisco teams will not only be battling it out for the HSBC Sydney Sevens title but also crucial Rugby World Cup Sevens seedings points that will determine the draw for the tournament.

MEN'S 

As the sun set in Sydney eight men's matches started the third leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series with the Blitzboks, New Zealand and Australia impressing. 

In Pool C defending series champions racked up a half-century of points against Papua New Guinea. New Zealand were in a clinical mood against Russia and ran in nine tries in Pool A whilst Fiji prevailed over Samoa. 

The other Pool C clash saw England start their campaign with a 22-10 victory and both France and Argentina opened their accounts with victories in Pool B.

Australia and the USA were involved in the toughest tussle of day one with the hosts prevailing 26-19 thanks to Tim Anstee's length-of-the-field try and Scotland finished the day on a high note with a 52-2 victory over Canada.

Quick Links

Sydney Sevens | Results Day 1

Sydney Sevens | Fixtures Day 2

Reigning series champions South Africa were one of four teams to achieve a perfect win record on day two in Sydney.

They join Argentina, Fiji and Australia as the unbeaten sides heading into the last eight after a second day of top quality rugby in the Australian sunshine. South Africa are currently on track to defend their title in Sydney and will face Kenya in the Cup quarter-finals. Fiji will face the USA while Argentina play England. New Zealand, tournament winners in Cape Town, will face off against their local rivals Australia.

Rosko Specman scored five tries in the pool stages and was pleased with his side's start to the tournament. “It's a good start for us, as in Cape Town we started too slowly and did not make the final," he said. "Here in Sydney we are focused on the basics because we know we can punish teams if we play to our game plan.”

The Challenge Trophy quarter-finals will be Samoa v Canada, Papua New Guinea v Wales, Scotland v Russia and France v Spain.

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Sydney Sevens | Results Day 2

Sydney Sevens | Fixtures Day 3

Australia beat South Africa 29-0 in the Cup final to take the HSBC Sydney Sevens title.

The victory secured a clean sweep for the host nation after Australia’s women beat New Zealand in their Cup final earlier on in the day.

It marked the men’s first Cup win since Japan in 2012 and Andy Friend’s side put on a clinical display on day three in front of an enraptured home crowd at the Allianz Stadium. 

A brace from Ben O’Donnell combined with scores from Lewis Holland, James Stannard and John Porch. 

Lachlan Anderson, an emerging talent within the team, was voted HSBC Player of the Final and was naturally delighted with the result after the full-time whistle. 

“It is still hard to take it in and it is pretty special, but we have been talking about this for a long time," he said.  “We started the work last July and drew a line in the sand as we hadn’t won for a while. We put the pieces in place and it is great that we got the reward this weekend

South Africa now lead the overall HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2018 standings and Australia move up to third with seven stops remaining. The teams move swiftly on and will reconvene in Hamilton on 3-4 February. 

Argentina was knocked out in the Cup semi-final by the eventual winners yet finished strongly in third after beating the USA 31-10 in the Bronze Final. 

France won the Challenge Trophy Final. After a victory over Spain and Russia, they beat Wales 29-12 in their final.

WOMEN'S

Australia beat New Zealand 31-0 in the Cup final to take the HSBC Sydney Sevens title on home soil.

Tim Walsh’s side went through the tournament without conceding a try, a first in the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series, and produced a clinical display in the Trans-Tasman Cup Final.

A try from HSBC Player of the Final Charlotte Caslick combined with scores from Shannon Parry, Ellia Green, Evania Pelite and Emma Sykes to secure a memorable victory on home soil.

After the full-time whistle the World Rugby Women's Sevens Player of the Year 2016, Caslick, was naturally delighted with the winner's performance over the course of the three days. 

“It was a fantastic way to finish the tournament here in Sydney in front of our home crowd especially as New Zealand are so tough to beat," she said. "Our coach Tim Walsh wanted a better defensive effort in this tournament as it was not up to par last year, so we have worked really hard on it and we finished without conceding a try which is awesome.”

In the Bronze Final Canada also delivered a clinical showing to take a 40-12 victory over Russia. France secured fifth position, Ireland finished in seventh and on day two England won the Challenge Trophy Final. 

After back-to-back tournament wins in Dubai and Sydney Australia are now ten points clear of New Zealand, Canada and Russia in the overall HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2018 standings. There are three stops remaining and the teams will regroup next in Kitakyushu on 21-22 April. 

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Sydney Sevens | Men's | Results Day 3

Sydney Sevens | Women's | Results Day 3

Text, Picture and Video: World Rugby

Fiji came out on top against South Africa for the second time in eight days, although this time their prize was not ninth place but a first HSBC Sydney Sevens title.

Text, Picture and Video: World Rugby

Hosts Australia have made the quarter-finals for the last 15 home events but needed to beat South Africa by five points to guarantee qualification for the knockout stages.

Text, Picture and Video: World Rugby

New Zealand beat USA 21-5 to win the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Sydney and move top of the overall standings after four events.

Pic: World Rugby

Australia qualified for the Cup quarter-finals of the HSBC Sydney Sevens after a sunny first day of action, while England, Wales and New Zealand stayed unbeaten in the pool stage. 

The Australians will face Wales in just their second Cup quarter-final of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2016-17. Wales topped their pool after a magnificent win against Fiji, thanks to a hat-trick from Morgan Williams.

England recovered well from last week’s disappointing performance. Three out of three wins, including one over series leaders South Africa and with Dan Norton becoming the second highest try scorer of all-time, England created a dream start to the tournament. They will face Argentina in the Cup quarter-finals on day two of the men's event.

New Zealand will play Fiji after they managed three victories against Scotland, Papua New Guinea and hosts Australia. USA will challenge South Africa in the Cup quarter-finals. The Americans lost to Russia in the opening game but won the remaining matches against Canada and Argentina.

Meanwhile, Kenya will play Russia, Scotland face Samoa, Canada meet Japan and France take on Papua New Guinea in the Challenge Trophy quarter-finals on Sunday.

Sydney Sevens Men's | Cup Quarter-Finals

ENGLAND v ARGENTINA

NEW ZEALAND v FIJI

USA v SOUTH AFRICA

WALES v AUSTRALIA 

Pic: World Rugby

While the men’s tournament continues on Sunday, the women’s competition finished with a breath taking final and a number of great surprises. Olympic Bronze winners Canada beat rivals USA 21-17 to claim their third tournament win, in front of a packed house at the Allianz Stadium. 

After a disappointing performance in Dubai, USA shocked New Zealand to reach the final, while Canada overcame top-favourites Australia 12-7 in the second semi-final of the day. 

Meanwhile, on a day of shock results, Brazil beat England 17-12 to claim the Challenge Trophy as New Zealand went on to beat their rivals Australia to claim the bronze medal on Saturday.

In the overall standings, New Zealand is now, with 36 points, four points ahead of Australia (32) followed by Canada (30 pts) and Fiji (24 pts). Click here for the full standings.

Sydney Sevens Women's | Results

Cup Final | USA 17 - 21 CAN

Bronze Final | NZL 19 - 0 AUS

Challenge Trophy | ENG 12 -17 BRA

Quick Links

Sydney Sevens Men's | Results Day 1

Sydney Sevens Men's | Fixtures Day 2

Sydney Sevens Women's | Results Day 2

At the opening day of the Sydney Sevens, hosts Australia, Olympic silver medallists New Zealand and Russia remained unbeaten. The second round of the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series kicked off early this Friday at the Allianz Stadium. 

England’s women disappointed on day one after they failed to qualify for the Cup quarter-finals for the first time ever. James Bailey’s team lost to Russia and USA in their respective Pool C and have to compete for the Challenge Trophy on Saturday. England will face Papua New Guinea in the early hours of the second tournament day.  

Ireland and Fiji both qualified for the quarter-finals together with France, New Zealand and Canada.  

Sydney Sevens Cup Quarter-Finals

New Zealand v France

Ireland v USA

Australia v Fiji

Russia v Canada

You can follow the Sydney Sevens women's tournament live here.

Quick Links

Sydney Sevens Women's | Results Day 1

Sydney Sevens Women's | Fixtures Day 2

Pic: World Rugby

They’ve done it again! South Africa underlined their hot-favourite status with the third tournament win this season, following a 29-14 win against England in the final of the Sydney Sevens.

The Blitzboks played in all four finals of the HSBC Sevens World Series 2016/17. They faced England for the second time in a final this season and while England managed to beat South Africa on their home ground in December, this time it was all about the men in green.  

Once again it was Seabelo Senatla who led the team with an incredible performance throughout the past two days. This was the last tournament for the HSBC Player of the Final as Senatla will join Super Rugby franchise Stormers.

Tries from captain Philip Snyman, Senatla and Justin Geduld went unanswered in the first half plus another one from Geduld in the second half sealed the game early. England captain Tom Mitchell as well as Dan Norton scored in the second half but it was too little too late. 

Meanwhile, New Zealand beat Australia to claim bronze while Russia walked away with the Challenge Trophy in Sydney after beating France, 26-0.

After four rounds, South Africa leads the table with 85 points, followed by England (68 pts), Fiji (64 pts) and New Zealand (56 pts). 

The series now moves to Las Vegas next month for the fifth round of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, which again joins up with the women's series. 

Sydney Sevens Day 2 | Results

Cup Final | South Africa 29 - 14 England

Bronze Final | New Zealand 29 - 14 Australia

Challenge Trophy | Russia 26 - 0 France 

Quick Links

Sydney Sevens | Results Day 2

All Pictures: World Rugby

The HSBC Sydney Sevens is the fourth tournament of the men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and the third tournament for the women.

Defending HSBC Sydney Sevens champions for both men and women are Australia who triumphed at Allianz Stadium last year.

Pic: World Rugby

A massive rugby fest is coming up this weekend. With the opening round of the Six Nations, the northern hemisphere is searching for the best team in Europe. However, down south, around 25°C hotter, it is all about the 7-a-side version of our beloved game. And it is another massive one. The Sydney Sevens is a double-header, hosting the fourth round of the men’s World Sevens Series and the second turn on the women’s circuit. 

With just one week to rest, this huge weekend in Australia will offer the ultimate challenge for the teams in order to remain in the race for the title.    

WHERE AND WHEN?

The Sydney Sevens take place at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney’s Moore Park (Capacity 45,500 capacity) on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th of February. The Allianz hosts besides the annual 7s tournament, A-League football, rugby league and cricket matches.  

The tournament kick-off on Saturday at 09:30 local time (22:30 UK time) and Sunday 10:30 local time (23:30 UK time). 

See the full Day 1 fixture list below.

WHERE CAN I SEE IT?

In the UK Sky Sports will cover the tournament on all days. For a full TV guide click here, for any other country check out this useful guide.

WHO’S THE FAVOURITE?

Without a doubt the South Africa. With week’s victory in Wellington, the Blitzboks have now won two out of three tournaments. They are in a top-form. However, it is a back-to-back tournament and a successful recovery is key. This could give other teams an advantage. Fiji, now in second position, England (3rd) and surprise package Scotland (4th) are all very keen to close the gap.   

ONE TO WATCH

Seabelo Senatla is one of the main reasons for South Africa’s success. The 23-year old is the top try scorer and was the outstanding player in Wellington. If teams want to stop South Africa, they have to stop Senatla.  

THE POOLS & SCHEDULES

POOL A

South Africa, England, Kenya, Japan

POOL B

Fiji, France, Wales, Samoa

POOL C

Scotland, New Zealand, Australia, Papua New Guinea,

POOL D

Canada, Argentina, USA, Russia

Saturday, February 4th (Kick-off is local time) 

Argentina v United States - 09.30

Canada v Russia - 09.52

France v Wales - 10.14

Fiji v Samoa - 10.36

England v Kenya - 10.58

South Africa v Japan - 11.20

New Zealand v Australia - 11.42

Scotland v Papua New Guinea - 12.04

Argentina v Russia - 12.36

Canada v United States - 12.58

France v Samoa - 13.20

Fiji v Wales - 13.42

England v Japan - 14.53

South Africa v Kenya - 15.15

New Zealand v Papua New Guinea - 15.37

Scotland v Australia - 15.59

United States v Russia - 18.23

Canada v Argentina - 18.45

Wales v Samoa - 19.07

Fiji v France - 19.29

Kenya v Japan - 19.51

South Africa v England - 20.13

Australia v Papua New Guinea - 20.35

Scotland v New Zealand - 20.57

The women’s tournament kicked-off already this Friday. For all fixtures and results click here.

The World Sevens Series returns this weekend with the first stop of a massively exciting year for the game, which includes the Commonwealth Games as well as the 7s World Cup in San Fransisco. With temperatures around 30 degrees, the teams will be challenged to compete in hot and humid conditions at the Sydney 7s. For the first time ever, the women’s competition will run alongside the men’s one, on all three days.

WHERE AND WHEN?

The Sydney Sevens takes place at the Allianz Stadium (Capacity 45,500) on Friday 26th, Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th of January. 

The matches kick-off Friday at 18:00 local time (07:00 UK time), Saturday 14:41 local time (03:41 UK time) and Sunday at 10:00 local time (23:00 UK time). 

For a full fixture list click here.

WHERE CAN I SEE IT?

In the UK Sky Sports will cover the tournament on all days. For a full TV guide click here, for any other country check out this handy guide.

WHO’S THE FAVOURITE?

The current champions South Africa started the new series in a commonly successful style with a win at the first stop in Dubai, last year. However, a week later the Blitzbokke only finished third at their home tournament in Cape Town. 

New Zealand, a team which performed below their high standards last year, seem to be in a lot stronger form this season. Coach Clark Laidlaw, the successor of the magnificent Gordon Tietjens, guided the men in black, back onto winning paths and an impressive tournament win in South Africa.    

Olympic Champions Fiji in the third position showed a solid performance at the first two tournaments and will among the bookies favourite for a top three finish this weekend. 

Hosts Australia has been in outstanding form prior to the start of the series but only made it to the Challenge Trophy final in South Africa. In addition, coach Andy Friend has to plan without his long-serving and inspirational captain Ed Jenkins, who was forced to retire from the game last week. However, a sea of Aussie supporters should back the team with plenty of confidence and the prospect of a potentially successful women’s and men’s team in Gold and Green on the podium on Sunday night must be a huge motivation.     

ONE TO WATCH

New Zealand’s Joe Ravouvou is in outstanding form. The 104kg winger was suspended for three games, following a high tackle in the final of the Dubai Sevens. However, he bounced back impressively with an HSBC Player of the Final performance in Cape Town.

The 26-year-old is a daunting player to face on the sevens circuit. A huge presence and buckets of pace, he can finish from almost anywhere on the pitch.

Quick Links

Sydney Sevens | Fixture List Men's

Sydney Sevens | Fixture List Women's

HSBC World Sevens Series | Standings Men's

HSBC World Sevens Series | Standings Women's

Pic: World Rugby

The Australian round of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2020 will be hosted at Bankwest Stadium for the first time with the very best of rugby sevens on show.

All pictures: World Rugby

The first World Sevens Series tournament of the year 2018 is done and dusted and it was a very golden affair, with the Australian women's and men's team winning big at home. It was a memorable weekend, with plenty of talking points - Here are four of them. 

The Australian Women’s team is unstoppable

If there were any doubts about the quality of the Australian Women’s team, after a disappointing season 2016/2017, they should be all gone since their phenomenal and record-breaking performance in Sydney last weekend. 

Six games, six wins, and 35 tries without conceding a single point sums up how strong the team is, a record which no other team has ever achieved before. Even their closest rivals New Zealand couldn’t score a try when the two met in the final last Sunday. 

Head coach Tim Walsh together and his backroom staff have developed an exceptionally strong squad which are the hot favourites to win the series, after only two tournaments played. Top performers such as Charlotte Caslick, Emma Tonegato and the second highest scorer in the series Emma Sykes are forming this brilliant group.

It will be interesting to witness the development of this team especially after the departure of coach Walsh towards the end of the season. If he manages to pass the team over in the current state, his successor will enjoy the role. 

South Africa is more vulnerable this season

Yes, the Blitzbokke are still going strong and are topping the table. But there are indications that Neil Powell’s team might not dominate the series in the same fashion as last year. Even though they made it to the final last Sunday and won the title in Dubai, the Australians, demonstrated that South Africa are vulnerable and with a solid defense and ruthless attacking strategy beatable.

Losing the final 29-0 must be a disappointing experience for this fine Boks’ squad and a motivation for the teams sitting behind South Africa in the table. Especially New Zealand, only four points behind South Africa are closing in. They only finished 5th in Sydney, but next weekend the All Blacks Sevens team is coming home, and the Hamilton leg offers a golden opportunity to claim the top spot in the table.

The Australian men’s team, currently third in the table, played a phenomenal pre-season and with the win in Sydney, they should be boosted with confidence. The Australians have some exceptional talents such as speedster Maurice Longbottom and Ben O’ Donnell who already scored 15 tries this season. Mixed with the more experienced players such as James Stannard and captain Lewis Holland the Golden boys are a real force.  

The Sydney Sevens date needs a rethink

This was a big talking point in the Australian media following an eventful weekend which included the Australia day, the Australian Open finals and the final one-day test between England and the Aussies. 

The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper analysed that the tournament has caused Australia Rugby a whopping $700k damage, as it attracted 54,875 people across the weekend, down more than 20 percent on last year's crowd of 75,000. At an average cost of $35 a ticket, that means a $700,000 shortfall in gate revenue for Rugby Australia.  

The reason for the drop-in ticket sale was down to a rare change in dates, as the organisers requested to run the first-ever fully integrated men’s and women’s tournament. In theory a great idea and the right step, however, it must go hand in hand with the many other attractive events of such a weekend.

The Avo-Man won the show

https://www.instagram.com/p/BecwFHGhouH/?hl=en&taken-at=1027301059

It’s no secret that 7s events are always a melting pot for the party animals and fancy-dress lovers. But there has been hardly an occasion where one costume attracted such a huge viral wave. Nearly every social media channel (we couldn’t resist either) posted a pic of this wonderfully simple and funny costume of the so-called “Avo-Man”.

It’s fair to say, he nailed it!

Pic: World Rugby

After four tournaments the Blitzbks remain the dominating force of this season. In the replay of the Cape Town Sevens final, it was South Africa who managed to get away with the win over England this time. Consequently, the team consists of three 'Boks' as well as New Zealand's Tim Mikkelson and Fiji's Jerry Tuwai, who got once again selected for the Dream Team. Phil Burgess and Danny Barrett were the outstanding performers for their team and deserved a space in this illustrious squad.

1 - Justin Geduld (South Africa)	2 - Tim Mikkelson (New Zealand)	3 - Kwagga Smith (South Africa)	4 - Jerry Tuwai (Fiji)
5 - Phil Burgess (England)	6 - Danny Barrett (South Africa)	7 - Seabelo Senatla (South Africa))

Check out these amazing tries from the Sydney Sevens